As we come to the day that the world calls Christmas, may we as Christians think of something else besides buying presents, decorating houses, and running here and there. Let us fill our minds and our thoughts with HIS TREASURE - HIS GIFT - to us - the treasure we have in earthen vessels, Christ in us, the hope of glory (II Cor. 4:7, Col. 1:27). Here are unsearchable riches, THE TREASURE OF HEAVEN. 

Oh, that we could give THIS GIFT to all those that are without it this day. 

We know that only God can enable lost men and women to behold His glory in Christ Jesus, but there is something that we can do. We can seek grace to show them the treasures of darkness (Isa. 45:3). These shine with a greater glory and catch the eye of all. 

These treasures of darkness are those truths we learn through suffering, pain, and death; truths of the greatness, the goodness and the glory of God; a living knowledge and a true knowledge of self. 

Job learned about these treasures and after years of suffering said, "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6). 

May we take the advice of Proverbs 2:3-5 which says, "Yea, if Thou criest after knowledge and liftest thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasure; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." 

May we learn to thank God in and for, all things, especially for those treasures of darkness. This is the "battery" that will make "our Christmas lights" shine much more brightly in a lost, dark world. 

May many come to find this hidden treasure and receive The Greatest Gift that God has - HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. 

My prayer for each one of us is, "Oh Lord open up unto us Your good treasure and give us eyes to behold its glory" (Deut. 28:12). Make it so, Lord - make it so to the glory of Your precious name.